Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Includes $50 billion for immediate investments to support critical infrastructure projects, such as improving America’s roads, bridges, transit systems, border crossings, railways and runways,

Also asks feds for $2.065 billion in capital support and $212 million for debt service.

New performance and management strategies have taken hold over the past year, cutting expenses, boosting workforce efficiency and winning approval from the AC Transit board of directors.

Joe Boardman explained to congressional committee that while the railroad has taken actions to chip away at operating costs and increase revenue, a vital component of its success has been the federal government’s willingness to invest in the Amtrak national network.

The study, which is estimated to cost $1.9 million, must be voted on by the Executive Council next month. The New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority asked to be included in the study process.

The budget reflects a new, tentative labor agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Locals #241 and #308, which represent CTA bus and rail operators. The four-year tentative agreement slows the rate of growth in health care spending and emphasizes preventative care, among changes shaving approximately $50 million off the 2013 budget deficit.

Balanced without fare increases or service reductions.

The programmatic change at Metro helped the agency save more than $25 million in Fiscal Year 2011, as well as receive the 2012 Innovation Award from APTA.

Smaller than the FY 2012 budget of $1.15 billion, the new budget supports the December 2012 opening of two light rail projects: the second phase of the Orange Line to Irving and the Blue Line extension from Garland to Rowlett.

Adopted was a $193.9 million operating budget, a $64.3 million capital budget and $16.2 million to fund interlocal agreements and other expenses.